Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026
A Finite Element Approach for Locating the Center of Resistance of Maxillary Teeth
Published on: April 8, 2020
The effect of prosthesis length and implant diameter on the stress distribution in tooth-implant-supported
Gustavo Assis de Paula1, Adérito Soares da Mota, Allyson Nogueira Moreira
1Department of Restorative Dentistry, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. gustavo_apaula@hotmail.com
Purpose:
The goal of this study was to compare the stress distribution of tooth-implant-supported prostheses (TISPs) and solely implant-supported prostheses (ISPs) with two different pontic spans (three units versus four units).
Materials And Methods:
Two-dimensional finite element models were constructed from the radiographs of polyester resin casts to mimic TISPs and ISPs. In all, eight models were analyzed. Occlusal loads of 15 N and 30 N were applied to the premolars and molars, respectively. The lateral and inferior borders of the models were constrained, with all degrees of freedom equal to zero. Eight-node elements with plane strain assumption were used for simulation.
Results:
The authors found that TISPs with a short span and wider-diameter implants resulted in more homogenous stress distribution and less stress concentration on the implants. The long span yielded higher stress concentrations on the implants and between the pontics.
Conclusions:
In all models analyzed, stress concentrations were present in the implants.
